An ecotourism conference is being held in Chiayi, Taiwan on Saturday, 19 January 2019 that will bring about lively discussions on managing ecotourism amidst increased tourist arrivals in the Asia Pacific.

The 10th Better Air Quality (BAQ) Conference is being held on 14-16 November in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The BAQ Conference is themed around the core principle of “Regional Action, Global Impact.”

Asia is being pushed into a pivotal role in this sector, with rapid urbanisation coupled withstrong economic growth and increasing environmental demands, a number of countries – among them Malaysia – are striving to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions countrywide. As the organisers says, it is imperative that the region acts to seek ongoing decarbonisation of both economies and lifestyles.

Accordingly, BAQ 2018 will push for a strong pan-Asian call to action and a coming together in ‘a spirit of unanimity’ to build a ‘cleaner, greener, and healthier Asia.’ The conference will emphasise the pressing nature of the challenges and investigate unity and collaboration in the development of new solutions, designs and approaches that will help chart more sustainable future horizons across government, private and academic disciplines.

Speakers will include experts, policymakers and educators from across the whole of Asia, Europe, Australia and even the United Nations Assembly.

BAQ speakers include Toyota’s Vince Socco. Courtesy Toyota.

These include Bert Fabian, who leads the work of UN Environment’s Air Quality and Mobility Unit in Asia-Pacific and coordinates the activities of the Global Fuel Economy Initiative. Prior to joining UNEP in March 2013, he was the Transport Program Manager of Clean Air Asia working on various programs, projects, and studies related to transportation, environment, and urban planning in Asia. Also speaking is Vince Socco – EVP at Toyota Asia Pacific. He is responsible for Toyota’s overall business management across Asia including Brunei, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and is well versed in the latest developments in electric vehicle introduction across SE Asia.

These include Bert Fabian, who leads the work of UN Environment’s Air Quality and Mobility Unit in Asia-Pacific and coordinates the activities of the Global Fuel Economy Initiative. Prior to joining UNEP in March 2013, he was the Transport Program Manager of Clean Air Asia working on various programs, projects, and studies related to transportation, environment, and urban planning in Asia. Also speaking is Vince Socco – EVP at Toyota Asia Pacific. He is responsible for Toyota’s overall business management across Asia including Brunei, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and is well versed in the latest developments in electric vehicle introduction across SE Asia.

The conference expects over 600 delegates form 55 countries to attend, from as far away as Berlin.

A panel of almost 250 speakers, moderators and panellists will deliver the latest news and technology research findings on Asian clean air developments over the two days of the conference, looking at ways to influence and bring change in air quality; the top priorities in making cities cleaner, and the opportunities for business as part of the drive to clean up air quality. Indeed, as Prof. He Kebin, Dean of China’s Tsinghua University and one of the key ChangeMakers Forum speakers, noted recently, “… there is a wider recognition of the importance of emissions inventories to air quality management among government authorities beyond environmental protection bureaucrats”.

Other speakers, including Prof. Peter Brimblecombe from the University of East Anglia, U.K, and also City University of Hong Kong, will underline that air quality is not just a measurement and emissions issue, but a much broader threat to quality of life.

He is a vocal proponent of the approach that believes environmental pollution is not merely a matter of environmental chemistry, but that long-term changes in urban air pollution bring effects on health and material damage, the statistical structure of air pollution monitoring data and its implications to policy, the impact of climate change on historic sites and their use, and the environmental chemistry of pharmaceuticals.

To hear these are a wide range of other experts sharing their views on the unique problems facing Asian airspace, check out the details below.

Ecotourism Australia’s 26th Annual Conference has focus points on the marketing, management and innovation of ecotourism along with the protection of natural and cultural assets such as indigenous sites and the Great Barrier Reef.

In 2018, the Global Eco Asia-Pacific Conference focuses on the evolving role of ecotourism in economic development, good conservation outcomes, and cultural understanding. It takes place from 26 to 28 November 2018 in Townsville, Queensland.

Ecotourism is often described as a ‘niche’ part of the industry, but it represents an estimated 25% of the Australian tourism industry. The Great Barrier Reef alone represents an economic, social and icon asset value of $56 billion. It supports 64,000 jobs and contributes $6.4 billion to the Australian economy’ (Deloitte, Access Economics, 2017). Ecotourism is the standard bearer for sustainable tourism and is being embraced by the mainstream industry.

This year, Global Eco Asia-Pacific will bring together the key players that can evolve this critical sector of the tourism industry – the operators, protected area managers, destination developers, applied researchers and destination marketers.

There will also be a full day technical tour to two of Australia’s leading Reef Research and management organisations - the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS).

Registration is now open for tourism practitioners and stakeholders to this ecotourism conference. Check out the program for further information on the sessions and speakers.

Collaborative partnerships, bold actions and business transformation, have never been more critical to the future of sustainable development. Themed Shaping the world in 2030: Partnerships for SDG Action, this year’s Responsible Business Forum on Sustainable Development (RBF) asserts that concrete steps must be taken today and together, if we are to secure a more sustainable and equitable world by 2030.

CLIX – the Climate Innovations Exchange, brings together the most aspirational and world-changing ideas under one roof for a single event that will help shape the future of global sustainability. Returning for its second year after a hugely successful inaugural event at World Future Energy Summit 2018, CLIX 2019 is now looking for the applicants who believe that their innovations have what it takes to change the world for the better.

The 2nd International Congress on World Civilizations and Historic Routes will be held on 15-16 November in Sofia, Bulgaria. It is jointly organized by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria and UNWTO. Venue: Sofia Hotel Balkan

Innovation, traveller demand for diverse and authentic experiences in cities, and urban tourism governance models will be the central themes of the “UNWTO Conference on City Breaks: Creating Innovative Experiences”, to be held in Valladolid, Spain, on 15-16 October 2018.

The Singapore International Energy Week is an annual platform for energy professionals, policymakers and commentators to discuss and share best practices and solutions within the global energy space. This year, SIEW takes place from 29 October to 2 November 2018.

The Singapore government has established a carbon tax law to be made effective in 2019. What are the impacts of the upcoming carbon tax on various stakeholders? How may Singaporeans respond to it and take actions to reduce our carbon footprint? The NUS’ MSc Environmental Management (MEM) Alumni Group is organising a seminar titled "Carbon Tax and Our Climate Actions". Speakers from different sectors will share their perspectives. All are welcome to this free event.

Themed 'Transforming Tomorrow's Cities with Clean Environment Solutions', the fourth biennial CleanEnviro Summit Singapore (CESS), organised by the National Environment Agency, Singapore, will be held from 8 to 12 July 2018,

Peranakan Museum’s first photography exhibition Amek Gambar: Peranakans and Photography showcases some of the rarest and earliest images of Peranakans. The historical and cultural exhibition runs from 5 May 2018 to 3 February 2019.

Wish to support conservation efforts around Southeast Asia? Wildlife Reserves Singapore will take your pledge, convert it to money and then channel it to boost animal advocacy and field conservation groups at the local and regional level. Changes on the ground, or better still, progress (we hope) is measured and reported.

SINGAPORE, 26 January 2018. Climate Action Forum 2018 will draw attention to key climate challenges facing ASEAN, the need to implement policies and the sense of urgency required to drive investment in green and clean growth in the region.

“A two-day workshop is being planned in May followed by a conference in July to coincide with Singapore International Water Week,” said Ken Hickson in a phone interview with Gaia Discovery. Hickson is the Chairman of Sustain Ability Showcase Asia (SASA), an organiser of the forum along with another home-grown enterprise, Green in Future

Climate Action Forum highlights the latest on climate science, as well as the climate nexus of water, energy and food security, and the investment opportunities linked to climate change mitigation.

The event will involve the People, Private and Public (3P) sectors locally and in ASEAN, as well as financial institutions, youth and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). He added that these events will complement Singapore's Year of Climate Action.

Professor Jeff Obbard: "Climate change needs urgent action"

The Chairman of the Organising Committee is Professor Jeff Obbard, an environmental scientist, ecologist and engineer, who previously served as Director for the Sustainable Development and Water Alliance at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Professor Obbard expects the Climate Action Forum to stress the sense of urgency needed to deal with the impacts of climate change which are already making their presence felt in ASEAN and other tropical regions.

"There is a need for greater awareness in ASEAN of what needs to be done to deal with the greater frequency of extreme weather events linked to climate change and how the public and private sectors can work together to build climate resilience in countries, cities and communities".

Songkran, Thailand from 13 - 19th April 2018 is a nationwide traditional festival to celebrate the Buddhist New Year. A three-day public holiday across Thailand, it sees most businesses close so migrant workers can go back to their hometowns to spend time with their families – and pour water over relatives to clean away the accumulated negative spirits of the last year.